OLYMPIA – Legislation to provide comprehensive labor protections for domestic workers was heard Monday in the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee, coinciding with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day highlighting the importance of racial and economic justice.
Senate Bill 5023, known as the domestic workers’ bill of rights, is sponsored by Sen. Rebecca Saldaña (D-Seattle), a long-time advocate for the domestic workforce. In her testimony, Saldaña emphasized the need for systemic change, pointing out that exclusion of domestic workers from labor protections has deep historical roots in discriminatory policies. Domestic workers, including housekeepers, nannies, caregivers, and gardeners, play an essential role in maintaining households and supporting families.
“On a day when we reflect on the legacy of Dr. King, it’s an honor to bring forward this policy for economic justice for domestic workers,” Saldaña said. “For too long, the work of domestic workers — mostly women, immigrants, and people of color — has been undervalued and excluded from the labor standards that ensure fair wages, workplace dignity, and protections from discrimination. This bill is a step toward correcting that injustice.”
The committee hearing included powerful testimony from constituents, highlighting the urgent need for these protections. Their personal stories underscored the vulnerabilities domestic workers face and the critical need for systemic change to secure their rights.
SB 5023 will require employers of domestic workers to provide essential labor protections, including minimum wage and overtime pay, meal and rest breaks, and protection from discrimination and retaliation. It also mandates written employment agreements and a two-week notice of termination, with an extended four-week notice for live-in workers.
The bill requires employers to maintain transparency regarding employment terms and conditions and strengthens accountability measures, allowing investigations by the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I).
Follow the bill’s progress here.
